DOBE controller is recognized but can't configure input - RPI 4 Model B

Murciano

Pi Model: Raspberry Pi 4 Model B
Power Supply used: 65 W Dell laptop adapter (USB-C)
RetroPie Version Used (eg 3.6, 3.8.1, 4.1 - do not write latest): 4.8.9
Built From: Raspberry Pi Imager pre-made
USB Devices connected: DOBE-TNS-19252C controller
Controller used: DOBE-TNS-19252C
Guide used: (Mention if you followed a guide): https://retropie.org.uk/docs/Universal-Controller-Calibration-%26-Mapping-Using-xboxdrv/

Hello, I'm trying to connect a DOBE-TNS-19252C controller for Nintendo Switch to my Retropie system. When connecting it (Female USB-C connected to the controller and USB male to USB 3.0 port in Raspberry), and trying to configure input, a message appears saying "1 gamepad detected", but when holding a button of the controller it won't recognize any input.

When checking the device by using the following command:

cat /proc/bus/input/devices

I get the following output:

When running evtest to check if button input is recognized:

evtest /dev/input/event0

I get the following output, not showing any additional output when pressing the controller's buttons:

And when trying to run jtest with the same goal:

jstest /dev/input/js0

The case is the same than before, nothing changes when pressing the controller's buttons:

Is there anything I'm not doing right?

I have xpad installed and enabled
I have xboxdrv install and disabled, as shown in the instructions for universal controls mapping

mitu

@Murciano said in DOBE controller is recognized but can't configure input - RPI 4 Model B:

The case is the same than before, nothing changes when pressing the controller's buttons:

So the controller doesn't actully work in Linux, even if it's recognized as a joystick/gamepad. You probably need an additional driver for it, since the controller is geared towards a Nintendo Switch - have you tried the one mentioned in the docs ?

Murciano

@mitu thank you for the quick response!

I tried installing the nintendo kernel hid package and joycond driver (As specified in the doc) but the controller input still won't be recognized. Furthermore, when I try to configure the input, message now says "No gamepad detected" (To clarify, I uninstalled xpad and xboxdrv before installing joycond).

When checking connected devices, the output is the following:

Seems like installing joycond generated a virtual Nintendo Pro controller device that now also appears.

When running jstest in my DOBE controller, same case as before, it is unresponsive to the controller's buttons:

In the case of the new virtual Nintendo controller, the output will show random numbers that change constantly, seemingly without following a pattern (I can only provide an image, therefore you can't see the numbers changing):

Seems like this driver is destined to make official joyconds and Pro controller work, connecting them via Bluetooth, but the controller I'm using is connected via USB. Perhaps this might be affecting? I am not sure.

mitu

@Murciano said in DOBE controller is recognized but can't configure input - RPI 4 Model B:

Seems like installing joycond generated a virtual Nintendo Pro controller device that now also appears.

I think the device is recognized by the driver as a Switch compatible controller and thus the name is also changed. The 'IMU' device is the accelerometer/gyroscope device created by the driver.
If it's still not working, then I guess it's not compatible with Linux - you should get a PC/Linux compatible gamepad instead.

Murciano

@mitu hello again, thank you for your answer.

Before starting with my Retropie build I saw a video where this same controller worked properly in Retropie, and the owner claimed it needed the xboxdrv package installed to work, therefore there must be a solution but I gave up looking for it.

My final solution, as you suggested, was changing my controller to a pair of NS joycons, but now I have a different question not related to this topic.

I am able to pair and connect the joycons successsfully and to use them in combined mode, but when rebooting the system and trying to get them to connect again automatically, they just won't do as I expect. I changed the Bluetooth connection options to "Background" but it doesn't seem to work. Also, when selecting "Connect now to all paired devices" it will just not work. Seems like the only solution to this is removing the two joycons from paired devices and pair them again.

Is there anything I'm missing here? Any help will be much appreciated.

Sorry for the question not related to the topic.

Thanks in advance!

mitu

@Murciano said in DOBE controller is recognized but can't configure input - RPI 4 Model B:

I am able to pair and connect the joycons successsfully and to use them in combined mode, but when rebooting the system and trying to get them to connect again automatically, they just won't do as I expect.

Do they work if you start them after RetroPie starts ? I don't think changing the 'connection mode' should make a difference in your case. Are these genuine Nintendo joycons or clones ?

Sorry for the question not related to the topic.

That's ok, it's not a problem to continue on this topic.

Murciano

@mitu hello again, I was finally able to connect my DOBE-TNS-19252C after many attempts. In case anyone is having the same problem, the adapter Mayflash Magic-NS-2 did the trick in my case. I connected the controller to the adapter and the adapter to the Rpi, all via USB, and it worked like a charm. I was able to configure the input of my controller without a problem.

Regarding the problem with Joycons, and in case it is of help, I’m using clones and not the official ones. I tried connecting them while booting and afterwards, both without success.

Thank you so much for your help!